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Teri Pierson

Teri has designed and led trainings related to racism and oppression for 30 years and facilitated groups professionally for 16. For the past 5 years, her work has centered on racial equity consultation for mission-driven organizations such as public agencies, nonprofits, and university departments. 

Teri is an unmarried queer (bi / pansexual) woman whose experience has been shaped by privileged identities including being white, abled, cisgender, and currently partnered with a man. Her style is direct, compassionate, and self-reflective. She centers the perspectives of Black, Indigenous, people of color, or any members of an organization who are experiencing the greatest harm or disparities, supporting what they need to survive, thrive, and build power – and, with love and firmness, she pushes white leaders and others who hold power and privilege to reflect, listen, and enact real change. Teri loves a good dialogue, but she is primarily practical, and she invites clients to make shifts in their policy, practice, and behavior.

After working with hundreds of organizations in private practice and as a Director of the Training and Consultation team at Resolutions Northwest, Teri is able to spot familiar patterns and apply them to the unique subject area and organizational context of each client. You can see some of her past and present trainings here or see her resume on LinkedIn. With Melody and other partners, Teri has:

  • Conducted equity audits and written comprehensive reports

  • Coached executives and “equity champions” in formal or informal positions of leadership

  • Facilitated large public forums, multi-stakeholder planning meetings, community listening sessions, mediations, and dialogues in the public and private sector

  • Designed and led trainings

  • Trained and mentored both facilitators and trainers

Outside of work, Teri is a student and instructor of aikido, a Japanese martial art that offers ongoing practice at embodying her values (at least, when we’re not all staying at home to protect one another from COVID).